The Root of All Evil - Part 8


She hadn't been out in nearly a week.  She didn't want to be
around anyone, and what if she missed a call?  Very few
people had her cell number.  But now she was going stir
crazy.  It was stupid, but she headed for his apartment.  He
wasn't there, but she felt closer to him somehow.

She parked outside the building and just looked up at his
windows.  The super knew her, maybe he would let her in
again.  She just wanted to sit on the couch and be near his
things.  Decision made, she opened the door and headed for
the front of the building. 

She hadn't reached the front door when he stepped out of
the shadows.  More startled than scared she faced him. 
"Return him, return them.  Please."

"And you're so sure I can do that?" he took a deep draw on
his cigarette.

"Yes," she said simply.

"Such faith in me.  I'm flattered."

"Don't be.  What is it you want from me?  Silence?  You've
got it.  Just give me back Mulder and Charlie.  You don't
need them."

"You remember everything now, don't you?"

After a moment she nodded.  "They've always
underestimated you.  I never have."

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, you're directionless, but not unintelligent.  With your IQ,
how could - "

"My IQ?  What are you talking about?"

"Ah, I guess your father kept that from you too."

"Kept what?"

"What do you think your IQ is, Dana?"

"I don't . . . in the 160 range I believe.  Why are you - "

"The last time your IQ was measured it was 210.  That's
been several years ago.  I'm sure it's higher now."

"You're wrong."

"Ask your father, Dana."

She shook her head, trying to clear it.  "That's not - please. 
Please bring them back.  You don't need them.  Please."

He took another draw on his cigarette, then turned and
walked away.

Shaking she watched him leave, then returned to her car. 

*****

Dana raced into the hospital and made her way straight to
the ICU.  She was inside before they could stop her.  She
spotted Mulder lying on the bed, tubes and monitors all over
him; the respirator causing his chest to rise and fall.  She felt
like the breath had been kicked out of her.  She grabbed the
foot of the bed to steady herself.

She noticed the older woman then, sitting at his side.  His
mother?  "Mrs. . . Mrs. Mulder?"

The woman finally turned to look at her.  "Yes?"

"What have they told you?"

"I'm sorry, you are . . . "

"Oh, I'm sorry.  My name is Dana Scully.  I'm a, a friend of
Mu-Fox's."

"Dana?  Yes, he's mentioned you to me.  We don't know
anything yet."

"Do you know where he was found?  How he got here?"

"No, I'm sorry.  They called to let us know he was here. 
Samantha's on her way."

"Good.  Do you mind if I stay with you, just until she gets
here?"

"No, I'd appreciate the company."

Dana sank into the plastic chair on the other side of the bed
and touched his hand.  He was warm, alive.  She closed her
eyes in relief.

They sat together in silence until a nurse asked them to
leave for a few minutes while he was examined.  Dana
followed Mrs. Mulder to the small waiting room, unsure what
to say.  It was Teena that broke the silence.  "Have you been
seeing Fox for long?"

"I'm, I'm not sure we're 'seeing' each other, but we're
friends."

"He's mentioned you to me several times.  He seems to think
you're seeing each other," Teena smiled gently.

Dana's eyes unexpectedly filled with tears but she blinked
them back.  "Thank you."

Teena reached out her hand and Dana took it gratefully. 
They continued to sit quietly until the doctor joined them. 
Dana started to rise, but the doctor motioned for her to keep
her seat.  He pulled a chair closer to them and sat down.

"This is a friend of my son's, Dana." Teena introduced her
when the doctor hesitated.  "You can speak in front of her."

Dana blinked at that, then smiled.

He nodded.  "I don't have a definitive diagnosis for you, Mrs.
Mulder.  We don't know what caused this coma.  We're still
running tests."

"What's his prognosis?"  Teena asked quickly.

"I don't have one at this time.  We're having trouble keeping
him stable.  His vitals are weakening.  Mrs. Mulder, we're not
giving up, I don't want you to think that.  We've taken blood
again because the first tests were mishandled in the lab - "

"The tests were botched?" Dana interrupted.

"Well, I'm not sure I'd use those words," the doctor smiled
ruefully.

"No, I'm sorry, of course not."  She pulled open her bag and
pulled out her wallet.  She extracted a slip of paper and
looked down at it.   'Attendant reduction in the lymphocyte
population', 'release of gluco-cordacoid'.  "Does this mean
anything to you?"

He took the paper and his eyes widened.  "Where did you
get this?"

"I was in an unexplained coma many years ago.  The tests
they ran on me were considered 'botched', but this is what
they turned up."

"What was your treatment?"

"I don't know, I was just a child, ten years old.  My doctor is
Paul Moss.  You're welcome to contact him and ask about
my treatment."

"Thank you, I, I will."  He looked down at the paper once
more.

"What does that tell you?  What causes whatever those tests
showed?"  Teena asked, looking between Dana and the
doctor.

"Prolonged weightlessness," Dana said quietly.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I know," Dana smiled feebly.  "It makes little sense; even
less with me, because I wasn't missing.  The housekeeper
found me lying on the playroom floor.  It was my brother who
was gone."

Teena's eyes widened, she had forgotten about the missing
brother.  It had been all over the news so many years ago,
but no information like this had been reported as far as she
could remember.  Before she could say anything else, the
door opened and Samantha entered.

Teena rose immediately and they hugged.  "Where's John?"

"He's parking the car."  Samantha spotted Dana then and
nodded.  Dana rose and approached her, hand out. 
Samantha squeezed it, then turned to the doctor.  "What's
wrong with him?"

Dana stepped back and kept quiet.  She had no right to be
here, but since no one was throwing her out, she was going
to stand her ground.  The doctor repeated the information he
had given to Mrs. Mulder and was finishing up when John
joined them.

"How did he get here?  Was he brought by ambulance?
Dropped off?  He's been missing for weeks."

"I can't answer that.  No one seems to know, he was found
in one of the ER cubicles already hooked up to a respirator. 
Security is checking and the FBI has been alerted now that
we're aware of the circumstances.  I'm sorry, but I need to
get back to my patient.  I will be calling Dr. Moss."

"Please do," Dana urged him and he left.

"Who's Dr. Moss?" Samantha asked.

"He's my doctor, since I was a child.  When Charlie was
taken, I was in an unexplained coma for a few days.  They
apparently did all of these tests and Mu-Fox is showing
some of the same symptoms."

"What symptoms are those?" John joined the conversation.

"I don't really know; something about lymphocyte population
and gluco-cordacoids; whatever those are."

John's eyes grew wide.  "It was you," he whispered.
 
"Excuse me?  What?"

"Uh, nothing.  Where's Bill?" John turned toward his mother-
in-law.

"Wandering.  You know he can't sit still.  He won't admit it,
but he's probably sneaking a smoke.  With this stress . . . "

"Why don't I go look for him?  Dana, want to join me?"  John
stepped toward the door.  Dana was confused, but it seemed
right to let Samantha and Mrs. Mulder have some time.
 
"Yes, thank you.  Samantha, you have my number if you
need us."

She nodded and took the seat beside her mother.

Once out of the waiting room, John took Dana's arm and led
her to the elevator.  "We need to talk."

"What's wrong?" she asked immediately.

He shook his head, remaining silent as others joined them in
the elevator.  She held her tongue as they exited on the
ground floor and followed as he led her to a section of the
parking area that was deserted.  "First, I want you to know
that Fox never betrayed your confidence."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Remember I told you about those friends of mine?"

"The ones that have the picture and cigarette?"

He nodded.  "I mentioned that Fox had consulted them about
something before his disappearance."

"I remember."

"He wanted information about alien abductions.  He didn't
believe in the phenomena and wanted some information."

Dana's eyes grew wide.  "They're the ones that convinced
him?"

"Yes, but until a few minutes ago I had no idea he had been
talking about you.  We didn't even know the sex of his
patient."

She had a slight smile on her face.  "I know.  Mulder would
never betray me."

"This is getting really freaky, especially if he has the same
symptoms . . . "

At that Dana's shoulders slumped and she looked down,
studying the plain gray concrete floor of the parking garage. 
"It's my fault he was taken."  Stating it seemed to take all of
her strength.  "I haven't been able to say that aloud.  It's
because of me, because I confronted my father about that
night.  They knew I was seeing someone about my
memories.  They didn't want me to remember and when we
became . . . involved, they had to see it as a golden
opportunity to shut me up.  This is all my fault."

"Dana, don't.  He's back, that's all that matters now."

"They don't know how to treat him.  They don't - "

"He just got here.  Let the doctors, let your doctor, look into
it.  Don't say anything to anyone about this. I don't know if
the information is dangerous, but there's no need for anyone
else to know."

Dana nodded.

"If you need to talk - "

"I'm used to keeping things quiet."

John grinned.  "I believe you.  Why don't you go on back to
Samantha?  I'll find Bill and head back."

"He'll be okay?"

"Fox is strong and he was in great shape before this
happened."

Dana squeezed his hand and nodded, then turned back to
rejoin Samantha at Mulder's bedside to sit and wait. 

***** 

The doctor closed the door to the small meeting room. 
Samantha looked over at Dana, and the fear in their eyes
matched. 

"I wanted to meet with all of you and give you an update.  Dr.
Mulder is weakening and we have been unable to stabilize
him.  And . . . since Dr. Mulder has admitting privileges at
this hospital, we have his living will on file."

Dana froze and watched Samantha's head fall.

"What does it say?" Bill asked quietly.

"He doesn't want to be kept alive with the respirator."  He
waited as Samantha moved over to Teena and held her.  "I
know this is difficult, but Dr. Mulder made the decision for
you."

"Is he in any pain?"

"No, but his vital signs are steadily declining.  I know you
need a moment, but we need to decide when to remove the
respirator."

Dana closed her eyes.  She had no standing, they were
allowing her to be here, but she wasn't family.  She heard
the doctor speak to John, then leave them alone.  There was
silence then.  Samantha opened her eyes; no one was
looking at anyone.

Dana rose from the couch.  "I'll go get us all something to
drink."

"Dana, you don't have to - " Teena started.

"No, I think you need some time.  I'm here and I'll be right
back."  She squeezed Teena's hand.  "And thank you."

She left the room and once the door was closed leaned
against the wall.  She closed her eyes again.  They were
going to let him die.  How was she supposed to deal with
that?  She'd never been in love before and now . . . a tear
leaked from her eye but she drew herself up.  She couldn't
break down here, she couldn't break down now.

*****

"Samantha, your mom needs to get out of here.  There's no
telling how long he'll hold on.  She can't - " John hesitated.

Samantha nodded.

"Do, do you want me to take her home?" Dana asked.

"No, I should do it.  You're right, it could be d-days.  I need to
hold my babies."  Samantha let John help her to her feet. 
"What about you?"

"I . . . I'll stay for a little while longer," Dana looked back at
the bed; things were quieter now, without the equipment
breathing for him.

Samantha nodded.  "You'll . . . you'll call . . . "

"Of course.  Hug the babies for me."

Samantha nodded, but her throat was too tight to speak.  Bill
helped Teena to her feet and John took Teena's other arm. 
Dana watched them leave silently.

She couldn't leave.  She slipped back into Mulder's room
and sat beside him again.  There was a DNR on his chart
now, so there should be little interruption.  She took hold of
his hand again.  "Mulder, it's me, it's Dana.  Samantha and
John took your parents back to my place so that they could
get some rest.  I'm not leaving you.  I need to tell you
something and I need you to hear me." She squeezed his
hand, waiting for an instant for some response.  It didn't
come.

"Mulder, your sister said something to me when you were
first taken, and I've thought about it almost constantly since
she said it.  My first thought was to deny it completely, but it
turns out she was right.  She, she said I was in love with
you." Dana took a breath, watching him sleep in front of her.

"Since I'd never been in love the very thought terrified me. 
Love meant dependency, losing my identity, allowing others
to get . . . close.  I didn't know if I could handle that, if I
could trust enough.  But I got to know you, slowly, without
pressure.  You're a very good psychiatrist, Dr. Mulder." She
gave a small smile.  "But I'm glad you're not mine any more. 
I don't know what's going to happen, I know the doctors say
you're weakening, but I feel your strength.  I feel you here
with me.  Please, Mulder, stay with me, with us.  I have so
much more to learn and you . . . I need you to teach it to me. 
You're the only one who can."  She leaned in then and
kissed his lips.

She held onto his hand as, exhausted, she lay her head on
the bed.  Finally her eyes closed. 

*****


The Root of All Evil - Part 9


At first she didn't know what had caught her attention, then it
happened again.  His hand twitched.  She sat up, blinking. 
She hadn't meant to fall asleep.  His hand moved again. 
She hadn't dreamed it.  "Mulder?  Mulder, can you hear
me?" 

Was she imagining it?  Had he moved his head slightly
toward her?  "Mulder, wake up.  I need to see your eyes. 
Can you do that?"

She didn't imagine the tightening of his fingers around hers
that time.  It was weak, but it was there.  His breathing was
easier too, not nearly as labored as it had been when he'd
first been taken off the respirator.  His eyelids fluttered and
she pressed the button for the nurse.

The nurse came in a hurry, and from the look on her face
Dana knew she expected him to be gone.  "Something's
happening.  He seems to be waking up."

"Excuse me?" the nurse moved to his side and checked his
vitals.  "I'm going to call the doctor," she announced
excitedly as she turned to the intercom

Dana nodded; her attention solely on him.  "Mulder, come
on.  Look at me.  Try to open your eyes."

She saw his lids flutter again and finally open slightly.  Her
smile grew and he seemed to focus on her face.  "Can you
hear me?"

"Da . . . " It was a whisper, maybe she had imagined it, but
she didn't think so.  He knew who she was.  Before she
could continue the room began filling up with medical
personnel.

"Miss Scully, if you would please step - "

She looked down as she felt his grip tighten on her hand. 
"I'll stay out of your way, but I'm not leaving."  The doctor
seemed about to say something, but instead nodded.  She
leaned down to whisper in his ear.  "Did you hear that?  I'm
not leaving."

He forced his eyes open and focused on her.  She leaned in
and kissed his lips.  "I'll be right here."  Not losing contact
with him, she moved down to the foot of the bed and let her
hands rest on his feet.  Her lips curled up slightly in a secret
smile when his toes wiggled under her fingers.

After the examination most of the people left, talking
excitedly.  The doctor turned to Dana.  "I have no
explanation.  He appears to be completely stable.  We'll be
running more tests, but you should let his family know."

She nodded and as soon as he'd left the room, she hurried
back up to the head of his bed.  "Mulder?"

"What happ - ?"

"We'll talk about that later, when you're stronger.  Right now
I want you to rest while I call Samantha and get your family
over here."  His hand came out to take her arm.  His grip
was weak, but she stopped.

"I, I heard you."

"Heard me?"

He nodded.  "I love you too."

Her eyes widened and color stained her cheeks.  He tugged
on her hand and she leaned in closer.   His lips gently
brushed hers.  "Call Samantha."

She nodded and swallowed hard as she pulled her cell
phone from her pocket.  It was 3:30 in the morning, and she
didn't want to frighten them, but she knew they wouldn't
mind this call once they knew what it was about.

Samantha snatched up the receiver as though she'd been
sleeping with it.  "Dana?"

"It's good news, Samantha.  He's awake, he recognized me. 
The doctor's been here.  You don't need to come right away,
but I thought you would all sleep better knowing he's awake."

Samantha didn't speak; she couldn't seem to get her breath. 
"Dana?  What is it?" John had the phone.

"He's awake.  John, he's better!"

"We'll be there in an hour."

"Take your time, John.  We're not going anywhere."  She
looked back over at Mulder and smiled.  He blinked, nodding
ever so slightly.

*****

Two days later he was already antsy.  "I want to go home; at
least I want to get out of here.  There's no place left for them
to poke, literally, and I would like to preserve the little blood
they've left me," Mulder looked between the three women
standing over him.  "I'm fine."

"You're not strong enough to stay alone."

"Why not?  You know I'm not going to strain myself doing
housework and food has always managed to find its way to
my apartment.  In fact, I'm willing to bet some of my delivery
friends have probably put out missing persons bulletins
themselves."

"No.  Not good enough," Samantha barely let him finish. 
"You need someone to look after you.  You can come and
stay with us - "

"Thanks, but no.  For one thing you don't have room and you
don't have time with two babies.  Besides, I need to be
closer to work, because I'm going back to my practice before
I lose it completely.  Part time," he added before she could
start in on that.

Samantha met Dana's eyes.  "What do you think?"

"I think he'd be welcome to stay at my place and I could
keep an eye on him and make sure that he eats and doesn't
work too hard."

There were matching gleams, if not for the same reason, in
Mulder and Samantha's eyes.  Teena gave a discrete cough. 
"Are you sure he wouldn't be in the way?"

Mulder grinned at the blush on Dana's face, but kept quiet.

"Yes, I'm sure."

"You will remember he's been ill . . . " a ghost of a smile
played across Teena's face.

"Yes ma'am," Dana said dutifully, but there was a twinkle in
her eye as well.

"So, I'm going to be cut free?"

"We'll talk to your doctor.  Don't get ahead of yourself,"
Samantha said in a warning tone.

"The only problem I'm having now is female problems," he
groused but he didn't seem too upset about it.

Samantha kissed his cheek and waited for her mother, then
hugged Dana and left with one last warning look at her big
brother.

"Are you leaving?" he asked Dana.

"Maybe after a while."

"As much as I want you here, you've got to be exhausted. 
Go home, get some real rest."

"Trying to get rid of me, huh?  Is Molly on tonight?"

He grimaced; Molly was his least favorite nurse and she
knew it.  Molly cut him no slack.  "Why do you think I want
out of here?  No, I'm worried about you.  I know you haven't
slept a full night since I woke up and I get the impression you
didn't sleep that much while I was dozing."

"Or while you were missing, but who's counting?"  she
smiled at him, but his face was serious.

"You're making my case.  Dana, you need to look after
yourself.  I've got Molly to look after me."

Finally she nodded.  "I guess I could use a shower and make
some room in the closet for you."

"I'll get to see inside the closet?"  She rolled her eyes.  He
pulled her closer and gave her a kiss.  "Go on, so you can
come back.  I think I'm already missing you."

She chuckled and gave him one more kiss before turning
toward the door.  She didn't see the smile slip from his face
as she left the room.

*****

Once she got home, to the privacy of her own place again
without all of the family, she took a leisurely bath pampering
herself.  It had been wonderful having a place for Mulder's
family to stay, close to the hospital, and the children could
have more room than in a hotel, but it was nice to be alone
here for a little while.  Of course, Mulder would be here soon,
but he'd spent enough time here to feel 'normal'.

Samantha had gotten the children's beds put away, so Dana
took a little time straighten up and put things back in their
proper place.  That didn't take long and she found herself
missing Mulder.  She didn't want to crowd him, but at least
until he was back on his feet she wanted to stay close.

On impulse she dialed the number of the nurse's station.  A
familiar voice answered.  "Molly?   Hi, it's Dana.  Is he doing
okay?"

"I'm glad you called.  He seems anxious; he can't seem to
settle down.  He says he's not in any pain, but something is
bothering him."

"I'll be there in twenty minutes.  Thanks."

"It's okay.  We'll keep an eye on him."

She made it back in less than twenty minutes.  He seemed
startled when she opened the door.  "I thought you were
going to get some rest."

"I seem to rest better here," she moved toward the bed.

He looked her up and down, trying to read her.

"Do I smell better?"

"Not possible.  I really do think you need some rest.  I'm
fine."

"Yes, you are, and I enjoy seeing you that way.  Has the
doctor been by?"

"No, not yet."

"Good, I want to talk to him about taking you home."

"So you can have your way with me?" he wiggled his
eyebrows at her.

"In your dreams."

He nodded rapidly, causing her to laugh lightly.  The thought
had crossed her mind more than once.  She settled in the
chair at his side.

It wasn't long before the doctor arrived.  He read the chart
and nodded his approval.  "You're looking very well, Dr.
Mulder.  I wish I could take credit for it, but I believe this
lovely lady and the other two women who never left your
side had more to do with it."

Mulder looked over at Dana.  "I think you're right."

"May I take him home?"

"I was expecting that question.  He's not ready to take up his
regular schedule, but yes, I believe, if there's someone to
keep an eye on him, he could go home.  I'll check him one
more time in the morning - "

"In the morning?" she questioned.  "You usually are here
around this time," Dana smiled.

"Trying to catch me out, are you?  Okay.  If I can't make
rounds in the morning, I'll take the information from the
nurses."

Dana's smile was bright at that and Mulder leaned back
knowing he was in good hands.  They spoke a short while
longer, going over his medications and restrictions.  When
the doctor was gone they brought Mulder's dinner.

He opened the cover and grimaced.  "I can eat solid food
now and they bring me this?"

"Is this a plea for me to run downstairs and rescue you with
some real food?"

"Would you?" he looked up at her and his puppy dog face
caused her to laugh out loud.

"You are a dangerous man."

"And a hungry one."  She rolled her eyes, but picked up her
purse.  "I'll wait here."

"You better," she threatened and headed for the door. 

She felt fairly anonymous in her jeans and her hair pulled
back into a ponytail.  At least no one had bothered her while
she had spent so much time here.  That's one of the reasons
she was so startled when a hand stopped her just outside of
the cafeteria.  She looked up into the unwelcome face of the
smoking man.

"Happy?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to check on your friend.  I understand he's back and
healthy."

"Why are - "

"That's what you asked for, right?  That he be returned to
you."

"I asked for Charlie as well." 

"We do what we can," he pulled a cigarette out of the pack.

She pointed to the no smoking sign.  "Leave us alone.  I
don't want to hurt you and I don't want you to hurt us."

"A status quo?"

"Yes.  If I have no reason to hurt you, I won't.  And I'll give
you no reason to hurt us."

"I should take your word for that?"

"Yes.  You already have my father in your service, you don't
need us."

The older man's eyes bored into hers.  She managed to
stand there without flinching.  After a moment he nodded.  "I
imagine Dr. Mulder is getting hungry.  I won't keep you any
longer."

He seemed to melt away.  She turned into the cafeteria and
once the door closed behind her, she reached out and
steadied herself with a chair.  Now what?

"Lady, you okay?" a voice brought her back to the present. 
She blinked and looked up into the older man's face.

"Uh, yes.  Thank you."

"You sure?"

She managed to smile then.  "I'm fine.  Guess I've been here
too long."

"I know that feeling.  You have to look after yourself too."

She nodded her thanks as he moved away.  Yes, and she
needed to get back to Mulder.  Maybe safety was only an
illusion, but it was stronger when he was there.  She quickly
bought dinner for both of them and hurried back upstairs.

He immediately noted her change in attitude.  "Okay, what
happened?  Did the paparazzi find you?"

"What?  No, I was just thinking."

"About how much trouble I'm going to be?"

She looked up at him startled.  "No!  What are you talking
about?"

"Well, you seem anxious, concerned - "

Her finger touched his lips, shutting him up.  "And nothing
will make me feel better than to have you safe and sound in
my home.  How would you like to be a love slave?"

He grinned.  "Do I get any recoop time?"

"Maybe some."

"Ahh, impatience, I like that," he sobered then.  "There's a lot
we need to talk about."

She nodded and leaned in to kiss him.  "Eat.  You need to
get that strength back, to defend yourself against my
onslaught."

"Yes ma'am."  He turned to his meal, but they both knew
there were a lot of things left unsaid.


They stood waiting for the elevator to her apartment when
one of the waitresses to the restaurant stuck her head out
the door.  "Hi, I thought I saw you pull in.  Just wanted you to
know that man that was staying here, the one with the beard,
is up there."

"John?  I wonder if they forgot something.  Thanks, JJ.  It
would have been a little scary to find someone up there." 
The elevator came then and they stepped inside.

She put her key into the lock but before she could turn it, the
door opened.  It wasn't John that opened the door. 
"Frohike?"  Mulder blurted out.

Dana had backed up a step, into Mulder at the sight of the
strange man.

"Yeah, sorry we surprised you."

John came hurrying into the room then and stepped in front
of the short man.  "Dana, I'm sorry.  I thought we'd be out of
here before you got home."

"We?"

"Yeah, this is Melvin Frohike and that," he pointed behind
him, "is Ringo Langly."

"Very nice, Mulder," Frohike was giving her a leering once
over.

"Geez, guys.  I'm trying to make time with a wonderful
woman and she finds out I know you."  He grinned and
moved on into the apartment.  "What are you doing here?"

"Yeah, about that," John looked back over at Langly.  "We
were helping Dana with something - "

"Wait a minute," Mulder lowered himself onto the couch, "you
already know each other?"

"No, Dana hadn't met them.  They were kind of helping her
find you."

Mulder looked back over at Dana.  She didn't confirm or
deny.  They hadn't talked about a lot of things.  His brow
furrowed, but he turned back to John.

"So, what are you doing here?" he finally asked.

"Uh, I found something when we were staying here and I
wanted - "

"Found what?" she interrupted.

"A bug, a listening device.  I wanted to make sure it was the
only one."

Mulder started to rise when her face lost color.  Frohike was
closer and took her arm.  She allowed him to help her to the
couch, where she took a seat beside Mulder.

"Someone was listening to me?"

"We've taken care of it.  There was only one and it was out
here, in the main room."

"How long?"

"No way to know, Dana," John answered.  "It's still working -
"

"What?" she jerked forward.

"Don't worry.  We've moved it, but it's still transmitting.  Let
them figure out where it is."

Mulder shook his head.  "I guess I never realized the
paparazzi went that far."  He caught the look that Dana and
John exchanged.

"We need to get out of here, let you two get settled.  If you
need anything, call."  Dana rose then and walked them to the
door.  "You haven't told him anything," John whispered to
Dana at the door.

"There hasn't been a good time.  Maybe now . . ."

"He needs to know."

She seemed to deflate at that, but didn't dispute it.  She
shook hands with Langly, then Frohike.  He held her hand a
bit longer than necessary, until John nudged him.  "Come
on, don't make her hurt you."

Dana gave a nervous chuckle then and watched as they
walked to the elevator.  She closed the door and leaned her
forehead against it for a moment.

"Dana?"

She straightened up.  "You should get ready for bed.  I
promised that I wouldn't let you overdo."

"Let me sit here for a little while, Dana.  I've been in bed for
days.  Come here, sit beside me."

With a shy smile she complied.  She sighed and leaned
back, bringing their shoulders in contact.

"What are you thinking?" he asked softly.

"Playing shrink?"

He shook his head. "Just curious."

"I was afraid we'd never be here together again."

"You missed me?"

"Horribly."  She cuddled in as his arm went around her.

"Are you going to tell me what all that was about?"  She
stiffened and sat up.  "Ah, so there is something to tell."

"Later."

"How much later?" His hand caressed her shoulder and arm.

"Hungry?"

He allowed the change of subject.  "Yeah, a little."

"You still have to eat light," she cautioned as he grimaced. 
She rose then and ordered their meal from downstairs,
ignoring his suggestions, finally turning her back to him so
that she could finish placing their lunch order without
laughing.

*****

The Root of All Evil - Part 10



He hated to admit it, but he was ready to lie down.  His
stamina was gone; one of the things he needed to work on.  
His appetite was returning, but it would be a while before he
was back to his 'fighting' weight.  

While she cleaned up after their meal, he followed her orders
to get ready for bed.  He slipped under the sheets, more
thread count than he had realized was available, and relaxed
into the comfort of it.  

He needed to talk to her, but he needed to be alert for the
conversation.  Something was going on and he needed to
know what.  His eyes were closing when he heard the door
open.  She straightened the covers and gave him a kiss on
the forehead.  He protested that, pulling her closer and
kissing her more thoroughly.

"Hey buddy, you're supposed to be resting."

"I am," he nuzzled her neck.    

"I don't think so.  I'll check on you in a little while."  She
started to rise.

"Are you, are you leaving?"

"No.  I'm going to finish straightening up and do some
laundry."

He seemed to relax at that and winked at her as she headed
for the door.  "If you need anything - " he grinned.

"I'll yell," she said dryly and pulled the door closed behind
her.  She leaned against the door jamb and closed her eyes.  
John was right, she had to tell him, tell him everything, but
what would happen then?  

She knew the answer; she just didn't want to face it.  He'd
never want to see her again.  She was the reason for his
abduction, the reason a man was dead.  She shook herself
and moved away from the door.  Mundane things, that was
what she needed to concentrate on right now.  Mulder was
here, alive and safe, and with her.

After straightening up, she headed to her office to catch up
on emails and phone messages.  She had gotten rid of most
of the spam when she heard him.  

"No! Stop, don't - Don't!"

She rushed to the bedroom to find him thrashing around,
"Mulder, Mulder wake up."  She sat beside him, pulling him
into her arms.  

He jerked awake and when he realized it was her, grabbed
her to him, his lips finding hers.  He seemed to drink life from
her, pulling her closer.  They had kissed before, many times,
but this one was different, this one possessed her and she
sank into it

When they broke apart to catch their breath, they stared at
each other.  The hand he reached out to touch her face was
trembling.  "Dana?"

She only swallowed hard, unable to speak.

"You need to know, I'm falling in love with you."

Tears formed in her eyes and she saw fear start to grow on
his face.

"I'm already in love with you, Mulder." But she pulled back
slightly.

"I-I'm getting mixed signals from you, Dana.  What's going
on?  What aren't you telling me?"

"Mulder, it's late - "

"No, that won't fly anymore.  I have to know what's going
on."  She seemed to wilt in front of him.  "I need to know
what you're keeping from me, where this . . . this guilt is
coming from."

"Guilt," she said quietly.

"Am I wrong?"

"No.  It's my fault."

"What's your fault?"

"Your abduction.  They took you because of me."

"What?  You know who took me?"  She hesitated again and
he pulled her tighter.  "Please.  I need to know.  Was it
because of your family?"

"I know you need to know, but . . . "

"But what?"

She shook her head.  "I don't, I don't think I can take it if you
hate me, and it's my fault.  You, Pete's death, I - "

"Death?  Who died?  Dana!" He took hold of her arms then,
forcing her to look at him.

She met his eyes and finally nodded.  He arranged the
pillows and sat up, giving her space.  She looked down
again, staring at her hands, but she started talking.

"I went home to stay with Mother that night, the night you
were taken.  I thought Father was out of town, but when I got
there he 'summoned' me to his study and practically ordered
me to stay away from you.  He'd been given orders by the
Smoking Man because I was remembering and, and he was
scared.  It infuriated me that he would take orders from
someone that had obviously been involved in Charlie's
abduction, so I refused and told him I knew about his
involvement.  I know you told me not to confront him and I
should have listened, but for him to tell me who I could and
couldn't see, when he had . . .  Then you were gone."

His mouth opened, as though to ask questions, but then he
waited.

"I went home, I didn't even speak to Mother, but you didn't
call.  I got worried, I knew something was wrong.  I went to
your apartment first thing the next morning.  Your super let
me in."  She stopped again, remembering the sight.  "There
had been a struggle.  I knew immediately what had
happened and I knew Father and the Smoking Man had
been behind it.  What they want, what they need is
anonymity.  Remember, you told me that.  When the police
sent me away, the paparazzi were already waiting.  The idea
was just there."

"Idea?" he encouraged her.

"The worst of them was out there.  Pete Ruzicka, he was
waiting for me like a vulture to get 'that shot'.  He always
went for the worst, the shot that makes us look drunk or
stoned or," she shrugged, "decadent."

He nodded, but kept quiet.

"I, I was able to slip him a note to meet me later.  He took it."

"Meet him?"

She ignored that.  "I went home and got the picture, the
picture of Smoky, then I met Pete in the parking deck of your
office building.  He'd been there before.  It was his picture of
us that Samantha saw.  I asked him . . . I asked him to take
the picture of the smoking man.  I told him he'd been
responsible for your abduction, but that I couldn't prove it
and I wanted to 'smoke him out'.  He agreed, for a price."

"A price?" Mulder asked quickly.

She nodded.  "A photo session with the two of us when you
were returned."  She looked down at her clasped hands and
saw that they were white knuckled.  She attempted to relax
them, then continued.  

"He did it.  He got the picture in the tabloids, along with the
accusation that you had been the victim of a kidnapping.  
Then a few days later he called me, panicked.  He said he'd
received death threats; he was demanding that I help him,
give him money to get out of town.  He wanted to meet with
me.

"It was stupid, I know that now but I got a driver to go with
me so I wouldn't be alone and went to meet him.  But I took
something with me.  I don't know why, but. . . when I got
there . . . when I got there he was dead.  I didn't see what
happened, I don't know for sure who killed him, but my driver
called 911 and . . . and I planted one of the cigarette butts
beside his body.  Then I told the police that I had seen a
man, one I couldn't identify but that he'd had a cigarette.  I
wanted his DNA to be in the system."

Mulder didn't speak, but his eyes were wide, watching her.  
He wasn't touching her.  Was he cringing from her?  No, she
was projecting, but . . . she continued, she didn't really have
a choice.  "There was no one I could talk to; I couldn't admit
what I'd done.  Then John called me."

"John?  My brother-in-law?"

She nodded.  "He was coming into the city for business and
to check on the police's progress in searching for you.  He
came to my place for dinner and, and I fell apart.  I told him
everything.  He looked at the picture and we determined that
there was no way to identify my parent's home from the
photo and I hadn't been mentioned.  Pete had agreed not to
reveal his source to the papers, and apparently he kept his
word, or didn't have time.  John took the picture and the last
butt to take to his friends, the guys that were here.  He said
you'd worked with them and trusted them.  I knew I could
too.

"Then I went back to Father and I threatened him.  I told him
I knew everything and that I would go public.  I told him I
wanted you and Charlie back.  Otherwise . . . When I got
home, the smoking man was there, waiting for me.  I told him
the same thing, that I wanted you back, you and Charlie.

"You were returned the next night.  The doctors thought you
would, would die . . . That's when I found out that you had
worked with John and his friends."

"I didn't tell them - "

"I know.  John was stunned when he realized I was the one .
. . Mulder, you were suffering from weightless sickness. You
had the same symptoms that you had talked to him about.  
He and I talked then.  You would never have been taken if
you'd stayed away from me. They probably wouldn't have
bothered you even after I remembered, if we had stayed
away from each other.  Then Pete wouldn't have been
murdered and you . . .  I'm sorry," she said quietly and
started to move away.

"Wait.  You threatened the smoking man to get me back?"

"Of course."

He looked stunned then.  "The man's dangerous."

"Pete called him a 'king maker'."

"But why did you think - "

"That night, when you were taken, your super told me the
power went off in your building, only your building in the
whole neighborhood.  When he went down to the basement
to check the fuses, he said a huge truck must have gone by
the building because it felt like an earthquake.  Sound
familiar?"

His expression was stunned.  She started to stand then,
move away from him to give him space, but he reached for
her.  "Don't."

"Are you sure you want to be near me?"

"Yes."

"After . . . "

"Yes.  I need to process this, but I need you here to do that."

"Why?"

"I, I feel safer with you here."

Tears filled her eyes.  "Safer?"

"I have a lot of things to process.  I think I might be
remembering already."

Fear came into her eyes then, remembering the nightmare
she had witnessed.  He was remembering, but what would
he remember.  His experience . . .

"Don't worry.  I'm not planning a public announcement and
I'm not sure what it is I'm remembering anyway.  I'm back,
I'm getting stronger and, and we're together.  I want to know
what happened, but I want to do that with you."

She lowered her eyes.  It sounded like he meant it, but . . .
"You should be resting."

"Rest here with me."

She met his eyes then.  "In here?"

"Right here.  I'm not in top shape, and I don't want to
disappoint you, but I do want to hold you.  I want to be close
to you.  Later, when I'm all healed . . .  when I'm healed I
want . . . more."

She actually blushed.  She wouldn't have been able to say
she still could after the life she'd led, but this man made her
blush.

"Go get ready for bed," he said with a hint of a smile.  "Put
on something frumpy."

"Frumpy?"

"Yeah," but he winked at her.  She rolled her eyes, but
moved out of the bed to go change.  He caught her hand
before she got out of reach and squeezed it.  He watched
her swallow, unsure, but stronger than she realized.

He watched her disappear into the bathroom then scooted
down in the bed.  Damn she was a feisty little thing.  She
had done all of that to get him back?  He wouldn't have
believed it of the woman that came into his office just a few
short months ago.  He was pretty sure she had never put
herself on the line for anyone before.  What was the word
she had used . . . flitted.  Yes, that had described her then.  
Not anymore.  Now, now they were going to face whatever
this was together.  He settled into the bed and was smiling
when she joined him.